The latest PDC Women’s Series weekend in Wigan delivered high drama! Darts sensation Beau Greaves saw her incredible 114-match winning streak come to a stunning end, defeated by rival Fallon Sherrock. However, Greaves quickly bounced back, dominating the rest of the weekend by securing three out of four titles, while Lisa Ashton claimed the other. This thrilling series reshaped the top of the rankings, solidifying Greaves’ lead and showcasing fierce competition among the sport’s elite.
Event 5: The Streak Ends, Ashton Reigns Supreme
The highly anticipated PDC Women’s Series weekend kicked off with an immediate shockwave. On Saturday, after an astonishing 114 consecutive victories, Beau Greaves’ record-breaking run, which began in April last year, finally came to an end. It was none other than her fierce competitor, Fallon Sherrock, who halted “Beau ‘n’ Arrow’s” quest for an 18th consecutive title, defeating her 4-1 in the Last 64.
Despite the loss, Greaves had little to fault herself for; she played with a three-figure average, as did Sherrock. This marked a significant first for the Women’s Series: a losing player achieving an average over 100 points. The title for Event 5 ultimately went to Lisa Ashton, who overcame Sherrock 5-3 in a hard-fought final. Ashton, known as “The Lancashire Rose,” navigated her way to her 19th series title with solid performances, including a decisive 13-darter in a deciding leg against Kirsi Viinikainen in the quarter-finals.
German Players in Event 5
- Silvia Lindner and Lena Welc exited early, failing to secure a win.
- Michaela Gillert and Franziska Riepe reached the Last 32, each earning £200 in prize money.
Event 6: Greaves Strikes Back with a Vengeance
The end of one streak often signals the start of another, and this proved true for Beau Greaves. After an unusual early exit in Event 5, Greaves returned to her dominant form, remaining undefeated for the rest of the weekend. She powered through Event 6, securing her first title of the weekend. Her path included a 4-0 whitewash against Laura van den Berg and convincing wins over Laura Turner (4-2), Trina Gulliver (4-2), and Eleanor Cairns (5-0).
In a commanding final performance against Gemma Hayter, Greaves delivered a 5-0 whitewash. She opened with a spectacular 161 checkout for a 12-darter and continued her clinical finishing with legs of 15, 19, and 16 darts to surge to a 4-0 lead, sealing her victory with another 12-darter.
Hayter’s Impressive Run
Gemma Hayter’s journey to the final was equally remarkable. She achieved whitewashes against top players Aileen de Graaf, Lisa Ashton, and Fallon Sherrock in the same tournament, also eliminating Noa-Lynn van Leuven in the semi-finals.
German Players in Event 6
Unfortunately, the German contingent did not reach the prize money stages in this event.
Event 7: A Thrilling Rematch and Greaves’ Resilience
Sunday’s first final saw another dramatic showdown between the perennial rivals, Beau Greaves and Fallon Sherrock. Greaves showcased incredible resilience, turning an early 0-1 deficit around with 13 and 15-dart legs, including a 111 finish. Sherrock fought back strongly with two 14-darters to take a 3-2 lead. Greaves then responded with a stunning 130 checkout for a 12-darter. Sherrock again took the lead 4-3 on her throw but missed crucial match darts in the eighth leg and then missed a 158 checkout in the deciding leg, allowing Greaves to snatch the win with a 104 finish and secure the match 5-4.
Greaves, a PDC Tour Card holder, navigated this tight encounter as the only real challenge in an otherwise clear path to the final, having comfortably beaten opponents like Chris Savvery (4-0), Courtney Hine (4-1), Noa-Lynn van Leuven (4-1), Kyana Frauenfelder (4-0), Steph Clarke (5-1), and Jo Locke (5-0).
Event 8: Third Title for Greaves, Solidifying Dominance
To cap off the weekend, Beau Greaves clinched her third title, bringing her total Women’s Series victories to an astounding 53. Her route to the final was marked by dominant performances, including 4-0 whitewashes against Carly Chenery, Lorraine Hyde, and Kim Holden, often achieving averages in the high 90s. She comfortably defeated Deta Hedman (5-2) in the quarter-finals and Laura Turner (5-0) in the semi-finals.
In the final, Greaves faced Rhian O’Sullivan and conceded only one leg. Greaves quickly established a commanding 3-0 lead with legs of 17, 15, and 18 darts. Although O’Sullivan managed to get on the scoreboard with an 18-darter, Greaves sealed her victory with a 21-darter and a final 11-darter.
Notable Performances in Event 8
- Gemma Hayter once again impressed, defeating both Lisa Ashton and Fallon Sherrock before falling to Rhian O’Sullivan in the semi-finals.
- Franziska Riepe achieved a notable 4-0 victory against Lorraine Winstanley to reach the Top 32 and earn prize money, though she subsequently lost 0-4 to Leanne Topper.
Series Standings Update: Greaves Extends Her Lead
With three additional titles, Beau Greaves has significantly extended her lead at the top of the PDC Women’s Series rankings. She now holds £17,500 in prize money, more than £10,000 ahead of her closest competitor, Lisa Ashton, who secured second place with her Event 5 victory. Fallon Sherrock remains in third position. The biggest leap in the standings was made by Gemma Hayter, who now sits in fourth place. Silvia Lindner, however, dropped to 27th position after this weekend without further prize money.
Tournament Format and Prize Money
Each PDC Women’s Series event offers a total prize fund of £15,000. The winner receives £2,500, the runner-up £1,000, semi-finalists £750, quarter-finalists £500, Last 16 players £300, and Last 32 players £200. If there are at least 128 players, the Last 64 also receive £75.
Matches up to and including the Last 16 are played as Best of 7 Legs. Quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals are played as Best of 9 Legs.
Source: Based on an article from dartn.de.
